“A Índia pode vencer sem Bumrah”: a maior conquista de Shubman Gill como capitão é grito

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has dubbed India’s ability to win Tests without Jasprit Bumrah as Shubman Gill’s greatest achievement as captain. The visitors managed to win two out of five games in the IND vs ENG series in the absence of the veteran pacer, with Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack. Post the conclusion of the IND vs ENG 5th Test in which India scripted their narrowest win in Tests, Panesar reckoned that India need Siraj more than Bumrah for overseas Test matches.

Panesar credits captain Gill for solving Bumrah problem

In an interview to Hindustan Times, Panesar opined that Gill – as the captain – had proved that he does not need the ‘best bowler in the world’ Bumrah to win Test matches. He dubbed it as a massive acclaim and said that this was the youngster’s greatest achievement in his captaincy.

“But the biggest factor, as for Shubman here, is that he can win Test matches without Jasprit Bumrah. That’s a massive acclaim. The best bowler in the world. He doesn’t need him. I think India can win Test matches without Jasprit Bumrah. I think that’s the biggest achievement from his captaincy,” Panesar said.

“Siraj is the key”

In the three Tests that he featured in, Bumrah managed to pick 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. On the other hand, Siraj finished as the leading wicket-taker of the IND vs ENG series, with 23 scalps to his name from five Tests. Panesar opined that Bumrah not fit to play all 5 Tests in a series, Siraj was going to be the key for India. He said that it is important for India to focus on his fitness and build the bowling attack around the pacer.

“Well, it just shows that Siraj is the key now. They’ve got to build an attack around him. And his fitness is very important. Bumrah doesn’t have the fitness to play the five Test matches. As Bumrah has the X-factor, Siraj is the key to whether they have a series win or not. So, for an overseas series away from India, Siraj is very important now for Gambhir and Gill,” Panesar added.